Archer&#39;s tab

ABSTRACT

AN ARCHER&#39;&#39;S TAB IS PROVIDED FOR USE WITH A BOW HAVING A BOWSTRING ADAPTED TO RECEIVE THE NOCK END OF AN ARROW. THE TAB INCLUDES A FLEXIBLE FINGER COVERING ADAPTED TO OVERLIE THE PORTIONS OF AN ARCHER&#39;&#39;S FINGERS WHICH GRASP THE BOWSTRING. THERE IS A SLOT IN THE COVERING AND MEANS ARE PROVIDED FOR SECURING THE COVERING TO THE ARCHER&#39;&#39;S HAND IN A PREDETERMINED POSITION WITH THE SLOT IN REGIS-   TERED ALIGNMENT WITH THE SPACE BETWEEN TWO OF THE ANCHER&#39;&#39;S FINGERS. A PAIR OF FLAPS ARE ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE SLOT AND ARE ADAPTED TO PROTRUDE BETWEEN THE ARCHER&#39;&#39;S TWO FINGERS. SLITS ARE PROVIDED IN EACH FLAP SO THAT IT WILL NOT CRUMPLE WHEN THE ARCHER BENDS HIS FINGERS.

Se t. 28, 1971 p W'LSON 3,608,090

ARCHER'S TAB Filed Jan. 131-1970 INVENTORS JACK K. WILSON NORMAN E. WILSON R0 ERT S. ILSON TRNEY United States Patent Oflice 3,608,090 Patented Sept. 28., 1971 3,608,090 ARCHERS TAB Jack K. Wilson, Norman E. Wilson, and Robert S.

Wilson, all of Box 33H, Springfield, Mo. 65804 Filed Jan. 13, 1970, Ser. No. 2,570 Int. Cl. A41d 19/00 U.S. Cl. 2-21 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An archers tab is provided for use with a bow having a bowstring adapted to receive the nock end of an arrow. The tab includes a flexible finger covering adapted to overlie the portions of an archers fingers which grasp the bowstring. There is a slot in the covering and means are provided for securing the covering to the archers hand in a predetermined position with the slot in registered alignment with the space between two of the anchers fingers. A pair of flaps are on opposite sides of the slot and are adapted to protrude between the archers two fingers. Slits are provided in each flap so that it will not crumple when the archer bends his fingers.

This invention relates to archery equipment and, more specifically, to an archers tab adapted to protect the archers hand during the shooting of a bow and arrow.

When shooting a bow and arrow, an archer often develops a sore hand because of the great pressure created between the bowstring and his fingers. Protective tabs have been adapted to be fitted on the archers hand so as to protect it from the bowstring. One example of such a tab is illustrated in our previous Pat. 2,974,319. These previously known tabs protect the archers hand from the bowstring, but provide no cushion between the archers first and second fingers and the nock end of the arrow. When the archer draws the bowstring rearwardly for shooting, the arrow nock is positioned between these two fingers, and the bow string forms a V adjacent the arrow nock. This V-shape of the bowstring tends to press the archers first and second fingers toward one another, thereby causing them to be pinched against the arrow nock. This is a serious problem for many archers, sometimes resulting in blisters, calluses, and very sore places on the inside of the fingers. Another problem caused by this pressure is the friction between the archers fingers and the arrow. This friction prevents an easy and free release of the arrow, thereby hindering the archers accuracy.

This invention provides an archers tab which has protective flaps adapted to extend between the archers first and second fingers so as to protect the fingers from the nock of the arrow. These protective flaps not only protect the archers bare fingers from contact with the arrow nock, but also enable the archer to obtain a better and smoother release because the arrow nock slides forward from between the protective flaps with less drag and resistance than it would if it were pressed into the flesh of the archers fingers.

Among the several objects of the present invention may be noted the provision of an archers tab which protects the archers fingers from the arrow nock as well as from the bowstring; the provision of an archers tab which permits smooth and easy release of the arrow with a minimum of drag between the fingers and the nock of the arrow; the provision of an archers tab having flaps extending between the archers fingers which will not crumple when the archer bends his fingers; and the provision of an archers tab which is economical to manufacture and durable in use. Other objects and features wfill be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereina ter.

The invention accordingly comprises the constructions hereinafter described, the scope of the invention being indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which several of various possible embodiments of the invention are illustrated,

FIG. 1 is a side view of the archers tab being used to draw a bowstring rearwardly;

FIG. 2 is a top view illustrating the archers tab in use on an archers hand, the hand being shown in phantom;

'FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the side of the archers tab which faces away from the fingers of the archers hand;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the side of the archers tab which faces the fingers of the archers hand; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a modified form of the archers tab.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring to FIGS. 14, an archers tab 10 includes a reinforcing strip 20 rigidly secured to a flexible sheet member 22. Extending rearwardly from the forward edge (the left edge as viewed in FIG. 3) of sheet member 22 are a major slot 24 and a minor slot 26. Major slot 24 is slightly wider than minor slot 26 and is sufficiently wide to receive the nock end of an arrow. Slots 24, 26, divide Sheet member 22 into three appendages 28, 30, 32, which are adapted to overlie the first three fingers of an archers hand. When tab 10 is secured to the archers hand, major slot 24 is in registered alignment with the space between the archers first and second fingers. Reinforcing strip 20 is secured over approximately the rear onehalf of sheet member 22 and includes a straight-forward edge 34 which is adapted to be in substantial vertical alignment with but slightly to one side of the vertical line defined by the bowstring when the archer is shooting the bow and arrow. Reinforcing strip 20 is slightly thicker than sheet member 22 and is preferably formed of leather. It provides a reinforcement to the rearward half of sheet member 22 to minimize its deformation.

Secured to sheet member 22 on the side opposite from reinforcing strip 20 are upper and lower flaps 36, 38. Upper flap 36 includes a first portion 40 which extends in a direction substantially normal to sheet member 22. Upper flap 36 also includes a second portion 42 which conforms substantially to the surface of sheet member 22 above major slot 24. Second portion 42 protrudes slightly beyond the forward tip of appendage 32 to insure complete coverage of the upper portion of sheet member 22. A fold 44 is provided between first portion 40 and second portion 42. Fold 44 extends along a line parallel to the longitudinal axis of major slot 24. Lower flap 38 includes a first portion 46 and a second portion 48 similar to first and second portions 40, 42, respectively, of upper flap 36. Second portion 48 is shaped to overlie the surface of sheet member 22 below major slot .24. It includes a slot 50 which is in registered alignment with minor slot 26 of sheet member 22. First portion 46 extends in a direction substantially normal to sheet member 22 and second portion 48. A fold 52 is provided between first and second portions 46, 48, of lower flap 38 and extends substantially along the lower edge of slot 24. The first portions 40, 46, of upper and lower flaps 36', 38, are substantially the same shape and form two lips which are in overlying relationship.

Extending inwardly along the opposite ends of fold 44 are a pair of slits 53. Slits 53 permit second portion 42 to bend with the archers fingers without causing substantial crumpling of first portion 40. First portion 46 of lower flap 38 is likewise provided with slits 54 at the opposite ends of fold 52.

A pair of apertures 55, 56, extend through reinforcing strip 20, sheet member 22 and flaps 36, 38. Inserted through apertures 55, 56, is a thong 58 adapted to surround the archers second finger and hold tab in a predetermined position with respect to the archers hand. In this predetermined position (FIGS. 1 and 2), slot 24 is in substantial registered alignment with the space between the archers first and second fingers. First portions 40, 46, of upper and lower flaps 36, 38, protrude between the archers first and second fingers to protect them from the nock end of the arrow.

Reinforcing strip 20, sheet member 22, and second portions 42, 48, of flaps 36, 38, combine to form a flexible finger covering adapted to overlie the parts of the archers fingers which grasp the bowstring.

In operation, tab 10 is secured to the archers hand in the predetermined position described above with first portions 40, 46, of upper and lower flaps 36, 38, protruding between the archers first two fingers. The archer then hooks his first three fingers around a bowstring 59. A nock 60 of an arrow 62 is inserted between first portions 40, 46, of upper and lower flaps 36, 38, and is hooked over bowstring 59. As the archer draws bowstring 59 rearwardly, second portions 42, 48, of upper and lower flaps 36, 38, protect the archers fingers from the bowstring. This protection is further cushioned by sheet member 22. First portions 40, 46, of upper and lower flaps 36, 38, embrace nock 60 of the arrow and are interposed between the archers first and second fingers and nock 60. Thus not only does tab 10 provide a cushion between the bowstring and the archers fingers but it also provides one between the arrow nock and the archers fingers. Flaps 36, 38, may be constructed of a soft, pliable material such as soft leather or felt. When the archer draws bowstring 59 rearwardly the bowstring forms a V with its apex at the juncture between the bowstring and nock 60 of the arrow. This V causes the archers first two fingers to be pressed towards the nock end of the arrow. In previous archers tabs, the flesh of the archers fingers would come into contact with the nock of the arrow, thereby causing blistering and sores. Furthermore, during the release of the arrow, the drag between the flesh of the fingers and the arrow nock hindered the smooth release of the arrow. Since flaps 36, 38, prevent contact of the first and second fingers with the nock of the arrow, they prevent these blisters and permit a smooth free release of the arrow.

The shape of first portions 40, 46, can vary but the preferred configuration is a semi-circular shape such as shown in the drawings. The radius of the semi-circle is slightly greater than the thickness of the archers fingers so that first portions 40, 46, protrude completely through the space between the two fingers. The half round design of first portions 40, 46, thus gives protection to the fingers not only when the archer is at full draw but also as the fingers straighten out during the release of the arrow.

Slits 53, 54, at the opposite ends of folds 44, 52, prevent crumpling and buckling of first portions 40, 46, when the archer curls his fingers as is shown in FIG. 2. There is no connection between first portion 40 of upper flap 36 and first portion 46 of lower flap 38. This permits the two to shift independently of one another so that they can move freely in unison with the archers first and second fingers.

Referring to FIG. 5, a modification 10A of the archers tab is shown. This modification is the same as tab 10 shown in FIGS. l4 with the exception that sheet member '22 has been eliminated; Thus, tab 10A includes a reinforcing strip 20A, an upper flap 36A, a lower flap 38A, and a thong 58A, which are identical in shape to their counterparts shown in FIGS. 1-4. Reinforcing strip 20A is secured directly to upper and lower flaps 36A, 38A, instead of being secured to a sheet member as in the tab shown in FIGS. 1-4.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be in interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. An archers tab for use with a bow having a bowstring adapted to receive the nock end of an arrow; said tab comprising a flexible finger covering adapted to overlie the portions of an archers fingers which grasp the bowstring; a slot in said finger covering; means for securing said finger covering to the archers hand in a predetermined position wherein said slot is in substantial registered alignment with the space between two of the archers fingers; and a pair of flaps extending from said finger covering, each of said flaps being positioned on opposite sides of said slot and having a first portion adapted to protrude between two fingers when finger covering is in said predetermined position, said first portions being adapted to embrace said nock end of arrow when it is between two fingers so as to prevent contact between said two fingers and said nock end of said arrow, said flaps are each provided with a fold which extends along a line substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said slot, each of said flaps being provided with slits extending therethrough inwardly from the opposite ends of said fold.

2. An archers tab according to claim 1 wherein each of said first portions is substantially semi-circular in shape.

3. An archers tab according to claim 1 wherein each of said flaps includes a second portion forming a part of said finger covering and engaging the portions of an archers fingers which grasp a bowstring.

4. An archers tab according to claim 1 wherein said flaps are made of felt.

5. An archers tab according to claim 1 wherein said first portions are free from connection with one another so that they can move independently.

6. An archers tab for use with a bow having a bowstring adapted to receive the nock end of an arrow; said ta-b comprising a flexible finger covering adapted to overlie the portions of an. archers fingers which grasp the bowstring; a slot in said covering; means for securing said finger covering to the archers hand in a predetermined position wherein said slot is in substantial registered alignment with the space between two of the archers fingers; and a pair of flaps extending from said finger covering, each of said flaps being positioned on opposite sides of said slot and having a first portion adapted to protrude between said two fingers when said finger covering is in said predetermined position, said first portions being adapted to protrude between said two fingers when said finger covering is in said predetermined position, said first portions being adapted to embrace said nock end of said arrow when it is between said two fingers so as to prevent References Cited contact between said two fingers and said nock end of said UNITED STATES PATENTS arrow, each of said flaps including a second portion forming a part of said covering, the peripheral edges of said 2974'319 3/1961 Wllson 2 21 3,217,334 11/1965 Albertelli 2-21 flaps being provided with at least one inwardly extending 5 slit' between the respective first and second portions.

7. An archers tab according to claim 6 wherein said RICHARD PINKHAM Prlmary Exammer pair of flaps is secured directly to a reinforcing member. W. R. BROWNE, Assistant Examiner 8. An archers tab according to claim 1 wherein said finger covering includes a sheet member which is opera- U.S. Cl. X.R. tively secured to each of said flaps. 12435 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,608 ,090 Dated September 28, 1971 Jack K. Wilson Inventor(s) It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 4, line 40, after "when" insert said cancel lines 73 and 74; line 75, cancel "portions".

Signed and sealed this 7th day of March 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD MFLETCHERJR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents JRM F'O-10 (1 USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 U 5 GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE I969 0-365-33 

